Football welcomes 16 members to 2024 squad
SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The American International College football team will welcome 16 newcomers to its 2024 squad, including 12 high school players, two college transfers and two post-graduates. Head Coach Lou Conte unveiled the initial list of signees on Wednesday, February 7, the traditional signing day for college football.
Conte and his staff inked 5 members of the Jackets' 2024 recruiting class during the early signing period in December. Since then, AIC has added 11 recruits and will continue to add to the recruiting class throughout the Spring.
"I think we've signed a talented group of young men who have demonstrated to be great teammates, leaders, community members and strong students," said Conte, who will enter his second season as AIC's head coach this fall. "We have a lot of winners in this class, guys who have played for state championships. We were also able to sign a good group of mid-years and are excited to have them here and going through winter workouts."
The Yellow Jackets stayed close to home for the majority of their class thus far, bringing in five players from New York and four from New Jersey, along with three from Connecticut and two from Massachusetts. AIC also added players from California and Virginia.
"Our recruiting efforts started more than a year ago, when I was hired and we began our Mass-Blitz Campaign," added Conte. "I believe that our staff has done a great job identifying players. Next, our assistant coaches do a great job hitting the road to evaluate players, getting them on our campus and committing to our program. It's a long and extensive process that takes a lot of time and energy. Ultimately, I think we did a good job of selecting players who fit our culture and positional needs."
The following is a look at the 16 new additions to the AIC Football program:
JOEL ALVARADO
Offensive Line | 6-4 | 350 | Fr. | Harrisonburg, VA (Tabor Academy)
Joel is a powerful offensive lineman originally from Harrisonburg, Virginia that finished his high school career here in Massachusetts at the Tabor Academy. Joel provides size and strength at the point of attack and can move well to finish blocks at the second level and in space.
JEREMIAHBARFIELD
H-Back | 6-0 | 235 | Fr. | Melville, NY (Half Hollow Hills East H.S.)
Jeremiah is a versatile player that will bring toughness and physicality to the Jackets on both offense and special teams. After leading his high school program to 8-2 record his senior season, Jeremiah will look to make an immediate impact on Saturdays this Fall.
JADIS CHENET
Outside Linebacker | 6-3 | 210 | Fr. | Baldwin, NY (Long Island Lutheran H.S.)
Jadis Chenet is a dynamic playmaker on defense that will provide length and athleticism for the Jackets for years to come. After three seasons at Baldwin HS, Jadis transferred to Lu-Hi on Long Island where he became an immediate impact player in all three phases.
JAMESDELVA
Offensive Line | 6-5 | 290 | Fr. | Piscataway, NJ (Life Christian Academy)
James is an offensive tackle that played his post-graduate season at Life Christian Academy in Virginia. Delva will add great length, athleticism, along with leadership to the Jackets' offense.
KLEJDI ELEZAJ
ATH | 6-1 | 225 | Fr. | Piscataway, NJ (Life Christian Academy)
Klejdi will have an opportunity to play multiple positions here at AIC including EDGE, Kicker, and Punter. His toughness will be a welcomed addition to the OLB room. Throughout his high school career Klejdi proved to be a strong and reliable kicking specialist, making him an important target for the Jackets 2024 Class.
JERMAINE FLECHA
Safety | 5-11 | 195 | Fr. | Franklin, MA (Franklin HS)
Jermaine is a hard-hitting, run-stopping Safety from The Commonwealth State. The former Panther will be looked on to add a physical presence to the Jackets' secondary and special teams units.
MIKAI GAMBLE
Inside Linebacker | 6'0" | 215 | Fr. | Brooklyn, NY (Monsignor Farrell HS)
Mikai is an instinctual linebacker that has a knack for making plays and causing turnovers. After spending his first three seasons at Hudson Catholic in New Jersey, Mikai transferred to Monsignor Farrell on Staten Island where he became an immediate impact player and came well highly recommended from his coaching staff.
SAM GILCHRIST
Wide Receiver | 6'0" | 170 | So. | Piedmont, CA (Laney College)
Sam Gilchrist is an experienced wide receiver who played his high school football at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida and one season of JUCO at Laney College in Oakland, California. Sam possesses good route running ability, ball skills, and football intelligence to make a strong addition to the Jackets' offense.
DEVIN KINSEY
Offensive Line | 6'3" | 265 | Fr. | Brooklyn, NY (Erasmus Hall HS)
Devin Kinsey comes to AIC from the 6-time PSAL City Champion Erasmus Hall Dutchman football program, led by Coach Danny Landberg. Devin will bring a championship mindset to the Jackets' OL position group along with athleticism and position multiplicity.
AARON KURTZMAN
Wide Receiver | 6'4" | 205 | Grad. | Old Bridge, NJ (Montclair State University)
Aaron is a graduate-school transfer from Montclair State University. Kurtzman will provide experience and length to the Jackets' to the WR position group.
SHANE MACKENZIE
Defensive Line | 6'3" | 230 | Fr. | Everett, MA (Everett HS)
Shane Mackenzie comes to AIC from the tradition-rich football program of Everett HS in Eastern Massachusetts. Shane possesses grit, strength, and finishing ability to make an impact on the Jackets' defensive front and special teams.
JEFFREY MILLER
Offensive Line | 6'3" | 285 | Fr. | Meriden, CT (Platt HS)
Jeffrey Miller is a big addition to the AIC offensive front, coming from Platt HS in Meriden, CT. Jeff paved the way for the Panthers' 8-3 season, going undefeated in league play. Jeffrey possesses very good footwork, balance, run-blocking ability, and overall play strength to add value to the Jackets' offense.
GEORGE PAPAKOSMAS
Defensive Line | 6'2" | 280 | Fr. | Wilton, CT (Wilton HS)
George Papakosmas will arrive to AIC in the fall from Wilton, CT where he was a two-way starter for the Warriors. Papakosmas will be a physical presence and anchor on the interior defensive line. His overall size, strength, and disruptive ability will add value to Jackets defensive front.
MALIK "BLVD" PERSON
Defensive Line | 6'0" | 275 | Fr. | Brooklyn, NY (Erasmus Hall HS)
Malik Person comes to AIC from Erasmus Hall, where he dominated the trenches of New York City for several seasons and helped Coach Landberg win three PSAL City Championships. Malik will be looked on to provide playmaking ability in the backfield featuring his quickness, lateral agility, toughness and finishing ability.
JAYDEN VEGA
Tight End | 6'4" | 240 | Fr. | Meriden, CT (Platt HS)
Jayden Vega is a highly decorated tight end that earned All-State (CT) honors for Coach Jason Bruenn, and was featured as a weapon for the Platt HS Panthers both run and pass. Jayden not only brings great size to the Jackets' offense, but also strength, quickness, football intelligence, and ball skills.
ANDREW WEHNER
Linebacker | 6'1" | 220 | Fr. | Atco, NJ (Hammonton HS)
Andrew Wehner comes to AIC from Central Jersey, where he was a standout defensive playmaker at the linebacker position for Coach James Raso. Wehner possesses tremendous football intelligence, instincts, toughness, and tackling ability that will bolster the Jackets' defensive unit and special teams for years to come.